Minesweeping device

A minesweeping system, the system comprising:

• a plurality of magnetic signature minesweeping devices, arranged in an array, each of the plurality of magnetic signature minesweeping devices having an interface unit to interface at least one of the plurality of magnetic signature minesweeping devices to at least one adjacent minesweeping device in the array, at least one of the plurality of magnetic signature minesweeping devices to receive current input and the interface unit comprises an electrical output for power take-off to the at least one adjacent minesweeping device in the array, the plurality of magnetic signature minesweeping devices further including:
• a superconducting material magnet;
• a power supply connection to supply a driving current for the superconducting material magnet;
• a control unit to control a magnetic output of the superconducting magnet;
• and
• a heading sensor in communication with the control unit to monitor a magnetic heading of the device, the control unit being further arranged to control the magnetic output of the superconducting material magnet responsive to the magnetic heading, and to cause different magnetic outputs to be provided for different magnetic headings.

A method of magnetic signature minesweeping comprising:

• towing a minesweeping device through water;
• supplying a driving current to a superconducting material magnet in the minesweeping device when the minesweeping device is towed through the water;
• and
• utilizing a heading sensor located within the minesweeping device to monitor the magnetic heading of the minesweeping device and control a magnetic output of the superconducting magnet to provide different magnetic outputs for different headings.

A method of magnetic signature minesweeping using a plurality of minesweeping devices that each includes a superconducting material magnet, the method comprising:

• supplying a driving current for the superconducting material magnets;
• utilizing a heading sensor located within the minesweeping device to monitor an overall magnetic heading of the plurality of minesweeping devices;
• controlling a magnetic output of the superconducting magnets to automatically provide different magnetic outputs for different headings;
• and
• interfacing the minesweeping devices, wherein the interfacing comprises an electrical output for power take-off from a first of the plurality of minesweeping devices to another of the plurality of minesweeping devices so as to provide the driving current for the superconducting material magnet of the other minesweeping device.

A magnetic signature minesweeping arrangement comprising:

• an array of minesweeping devices configured to be towed in a serial array, each of the minesweeping devices including a superconducting material magnet;
• at least one of the minesweeping devices including a water driven turbine power generator arranged to power a plurality of the minesweeping devices;
• a controller to control an overall direction of a magnetic output from the superconducting material magnet of each minesweeping device in response to a determination of a magnetic heading of the magnetic signature minesweeping arrangement;
• and
• a heading sensor located in the magnetic signature minesweeping device, the heading sensor in communication with the control unit to monitor the magnetic heading of the device.